Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales

Normative data for the self-report forms consist of 1,026 nonclinical adults, while the normative data for the observer forms consist of ratings by spouses, family members, or friends of 943 nonclinical adults. Separate norms are available by gender and age-group intervals (18–29, 30–39, 40–49, and 50+ years).

ReliabilityOverall, the coefficients were highly satisfactory across the various normative groups. It was found that the CAARS measures (both self-report and observer) are quite accurate in measuring the constructs they were developed to measure.

ValidityNumerous validity studies were conducted on this test. The results of these studies supported the following hypotheses regarding factorial, discriminant, and convergent validity. The studies supported the following hypotheses:

The scale structure of the CAARS is appropriate and makes sense both empirically and theoretically.

The CAARS discriminates between relevant groups.

The CAARS correlates with the measures believed to measure related constructs.

Profile ReportsProfile Reports present scores for each of the scales, subscales and indexes graphically and numerically to summarize results for each respondent. They are available for all three versions (long, short, and screening).

Interpretive ReportsInterpretive Reports contain detailed descriptions of the scales, a list of elevated responses, and intervention strategy suggestions in addition to scores. They are available for the long and short versions of the CAARS

C. Keith Conners, Ph.D. Dr. C. Keith Conners has had an extraordinary and diverse career as an academic, clinician, researcher, lecturer, author, editor-in-chief, and administrator. His dedication to the study of ADHD and other childhood problems propelled him to the forefront of his field. His intense interest has led him to write several books, journal articles, and book chapters based on his research on ADHD and childhood disorders. He is highly recognized in the field of psychology for his numerous contributions.

In the course of his career, Dr. Conners was greatly intrigued by children exhibiting a diverse pattern of symptoms. He collected data on children from the general population and children with an existing symptom list who were referred to clinics, and eventually published the first version of the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale. The increasing use and popularity of the rating scales eventually made his original articles among the most cited in the literature on the subject.

Dr. Conners is now retired and is currently residing in North Carolina. He continues to lecture, present workshops on diagnosis and assessment, and serve as a consultant to numerous government and private organizations.

Dr. Conners was the recent recipient of the lifetime achievement award from both the Association for Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and the Mental Health Research Association (NARSAD).

The Conners 3rd Edition™ (Conners 3™) and the Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales™ (Conners CBRS™) represent Dr. Conners’ life-long commitment to integrating the latest in academic research with contemporary clinical practice. Back to the top

Drew Erhardt, Ph.D. Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles; M.A., University of California Los Angeles; B.A., University of Virginia.

Dr. Erhardt earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the UCLA Neuro-psychiatric Institute and Hospital. Prior to teaching at Pepperdine, he served on the faculty at Duke University. Dr. Erhardt is a licensed psychologist whose research and clinical work focus on the diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other psychological disorders originating in childhood. His teaching interests include child and adult psychopathology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and clinical interventions with children and adolescents.Back to the top

Elizabeth Sparrow, Ph.D.Elizabeth Sparrow, Ph.D. is a neuropsychologist specializing in the evaluation of children, adolescents, and young adults. She works in a private practice, and is on staff at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Sparrow earned her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. She completed a clinical internship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and a two-year post-doctoral residency at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Back to the top